Knitting machine



'July 19, 193s. v. LOMBAR'm KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 1 /mmy' Vlam ATTORNEY July 19, 1938. v v. LOMBARDI2,124,304

n KNITTING, MACHINE Filed April 2s, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 2 YWw/Mi, mm

ATTORNEY .71ml jg/yfefdf a vJuly 19, 1938. v. LOMBARDI 2,124,304

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 K ml QJ@- V.LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE July 19, 1938.

Filed April 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY los ' marmo. nimmaApplication nom 2s, 193s, serial no. 76,154

31 Claims. (Cl. tti-5t) 5 'This invention relates to knitting machinesand Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating to knittingelements adapted for use therein. another modiiication;

-An object of the invention is to provide a slm- Figs. ld and l5 areviews similar to Figs. l and ple and eiective machine for the productionof 4 respectively,` illustrating stillvanother type of 5 patternedknitted fabrics of -a wide variety of -machine embodying the invention;10 types. Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating Anotherobject of the invention is the proanother modification; vision in aknitting machine of means for the Fig. v17 isla similar viewillustrating another selective positioning of Ineedles or other knittingform of machine embodying the invention;

l0 elements, which means is of such character that Fig. 18 is afragmentary perspective view illus- 15 'the knitting elements may bereadily and eftrating the cam' of Fig. `ll;

. fectively manipulated to produce fabrics embody- Fig. 19 is afragmentary vertical sectional view ing desirable types ofpatternvedects and that illustrating a further modification; thepossibility of breakage of any of the parts Figs. 20, 21, 22. and 23 areviews taken in ver- .is minimized; tical section thru a portion ofanother form of 20 ,o A further object is the provision of a knittingmachine embodying the invention and showing element particularly adapted'for a highly de the Darts in different positions; and

sirable type kof selective positioning. Fig. 24 is a sectional viewalong the line 25-24 -f Other objects of the invention will in part beof Fig. 22. obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. Irl-theproduction of design fabrics, knitting 20 The invention omcorglinglyv'comprises the feg. machines utilizingselective mechanism includtures ofconstruction, combinations oli elements, ing en inclined Pattern Wheelis Commonly emand arrangement of parts, which will be exempliplyed. Theordinary pattern wheel. however. ed in the constructions hereinaftersetforth and is eeciive t0 impart Only e relatively Small m0ve 25 thescope of the application of which will be Vmerli; t0 the needles.'a!1df01 .this reason sepa- 25 intimated in the claims, 'rating cams arecommonly utilized to impartv For a fuller understanding of the natureand'V additional movement to some or all of the se. objects of theinvention, reference should lie-had lected needles In Spille 0f VariousDreeautiOns toY the following detailed description taken in that 'havebeen utilized. considerable diiculty connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in has been experienced du@ t0 the tendency 0f 30 which:needles becoming misplaced from time to time Figure 1 is a view taken invertical section and jamming against the Separating Cams. with thruaportion of a machine embodying the ino the necessity of Stopping amachine while the vention; damage is repaired. Proposals have beenmadeFig. 2 is a similar'view taken thru a diierent .for the Provision 0fPattern Wheels having a de 35 l needle slot, and showing the parts in adierent gre@ 0f inclination Sumcient t0 impart larger position;movements to the needles, but these have not at- Fl 3 is a view similarto-Fig. 1, showin the tained a Wide range of utility'ue paris5 in Stmanother position; ,g o With the foregoing and other diiilculties in Fig.4 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view View the present inventioncontemplates the pro' 40 vision of knitting machines, and, in certain ofshowing the operating parts and illustrating the its aspects, ofknitting elements therefor, of

needle positioning; v

o such character that separating movements ocrA Fig' 4a is a detail ViewSimilar to Fig 1 show' curring after a selective positioning of thekniting almodmed form of construction; ting elements will be positiveand certain in op- Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustratingeration a modified form of machine embodying the in- In accordance withthe invention there may loeV vention; provided knitting-element-means atleastl a por- Figs. 6, '7, and 8 are similarl views showing th tion ofwhich is adapted for longitudinal movearts in different positions; mentin response to the action thereon by se- 50 Figs. 9, 1 0, and 11 areenlarged fragmentary -1ective means'such as a pattern wheel, and attransverse sectional views thru the pattern wheel 'least a portion ofwhich is .adapted to be moved of Figs. 5-8; laterally during suchselective action. The knit- Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. 4illustrating ting element means may consistlof a single knittheoperation of the machine of Figs. 5-11; ting element such for instanceas a needle, or 55 a plurality of cooperating elements, as will behereinafter exemplified. The lateral movement of the laterally movableportion of the-knitting element may be caused by a camming actionbetween the knitting element and a portion of the needle bed in responseto longitudinal movement of the knitting element; by a camming actionbetween the knitting element and associated part in response tolongitudinalmovement of the part; by a resilient action of the knittingelement portion in response to longitudinal movement of the portion, orby other suitable arrangement whereby a portion moves laterally inresponse to longitudinal movement imparted to another portion. A cam orother actuating .elen ment acts on those of the laterally .movableportions which are suitably positioned laterally,

to impart the desired operative movement thereto and passes thoselaterally movable portions which are otherwise positioned. Such meansmay be'operative merely to either pass or actuate'the portions to agiven extent. When desired, however, there may be provided in accordancewith the invention an arrangement wherein the laterally movable portionis movable .between a multiplicity of lateral positions, a plurality ofwhich are such that the portion may be actuated differently, dependingupon which of said plurality of positions the portion is in.

In accordance with the invention also means may be provided whereby dialneedles and similar knitting elements may be selectively actuated withparticular definiteness.

kWhile fabrics in which the yarnl is laid in,

`be produced in succession without stopping the machine or replacing anyof its parts.

While the invention iinds its more ready adaptation in circular knittingmachines having a stationary needle cylinder, it is to be understoodthat it is adapted for use in. machines wherein the needle bed is ofany' of a variety of types and is either stationary or movable. Whilethe knitting elements particularly exemplified are latch needles, it isto be understood that the invention is adapted. for use in connectionwith the operation of a variety of types of knitting elements includingbeard needles, jacks, sinkers, etc. ready adaptationin machines arrangedfor the operation of all the needles (or other knitting elements) inaccordance with the invention; it is to be understood that, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention in its broader aspects,

needles (or other knitting elements) operated in other well known ordesired ways may be provided in certain parts of a. machine embodyingthe invention and may be interspersed with needles (or'other knittingelements) operated in accordance with theV invention; and it is to beparticularly understood that the terms series ofknitting-element-means", series of knitting elcments, series of needles,series of sinkers, and the like, as used in the appended claims Againwhile the invention finds its most a,124,so4

sisting in. the present instance of knitting elements 9 in the form ofneedles which, as exemplified, are of the usual latch type, althoughother types of needles such as beard needles may b e provided ifdesired. Each needle is provided with a butt portion Ill.- Certain ofthese butt portions, in the present instance, are ofthe shape indicatedat Il and include an extension l2 providing long butts for the needles,and others of which, as indicated at '|3, are without these extensionsand provide a. short butt for the needles. The long-butt and theshort-butt needles are interspersed about the cylinder. They may bearranged in alternation or in groups of one, two, three, etc. Long-buttor short-butt needles may, indeed, be interspersed in any of ay varietyof manners,-one form of arrangement being indicated in Fig. 4.

' A suitable number of yarn feeds I4 are arranged to rotate about thecylinder with the supports 6 and 1. Following each yarn feed there areprovided actuator means for the needles. Such means, in the presentinstance, is carried on the support 6, and comprises a. stitch cam l5,

an inclined pattern 'Wheel I6, actuating means in the form of anadvancing cam I1', and a longbutt actuating cam I8. arranged to operateupon the lower surface I! of the butt portions IIJ of the needles and toeither pass a needle or to move it longitudinally from a position A to aposition B in the usual manner, and thus serves as selecting means forthe needles. The cam ll'serves to act on portions 20, hereinafter to bedescribed, of the selected needles to advance certain of the neediesfrom the position B to a tucking position C. The cam I'I carries anadjustable member 2| which, when in the upper position shown in fulllines, will cause the selected needles to be advanced fully to a'knitting position D. When the c ainportion 2l is in the lowerl position,indicated by the dot-dash lines, the cam I'I will act only to raise theneedlesto the tucking position. The cam-portion 2l may be adjustedmanually, or the pin 22 may extend outwardly so as to be operatedautomatically at various periods in the `operation of the'machine, as bythe usual type of pattern chain mechanism. The cam Il is pivotallymounted and is arranged, when in the full line position shown in Fig. 4,to"`act on those of the unselected needles which have long-butts and toadvance these from the position A to the position C. When in thedot-dash line position, it will not act on the needles. The cam I8 iscarried on a rod 24, which may be turned manually to swing the cam, ormay be operated automatically as by pattern chain mechanism of the usualtype.

There is also provided in the present instance a cam 25 similar to thecam I8 but arranged to operate, when in the full line operativeposition, on the surfaces i9 of all the butt portions. This The patternwheel is.

may also be provided a laid-in fabric wherein at adapted to be engagedby the cam l1 Vwhen a porcam may be swung by a rod 2,6 between an operfatlve and an inoperative position as indicated by the dotted and vfulllines respectively so as to place all the needles when .desired in thefully advanced position D. The rod 26 may be operated similarly tc therod 24;

As will be apparent, for any single type of selection` of the needles ofa given yarn feed, as by a pattern wheel with a particular type ofcutting, there may be produced a variety of design stitches. The needlesselected by the pattern wheel may be moved into tcking position by the'cam il so that the selected needles will catch the yarn but not knit,and they unselected needles will pass the yarn, asin the formation of alaid-in fabric. The selected needles maybe moved into knitting positionwhere they will receive the yarn and knit, and

the unselected needles left in a retracted position where they will notreceive the yarn, as in the formation of a welt stitch fabric. Theselected needles may be moved into knitting position, and.'v

" needles may be advanced toknitting position.

`Other variations may be obtained. By the provision ci a plurality ofyarn feeds and suitable cuttings on the pattern `wheels which will causevarious needles to knit-at dierent yarn feeds, there may be provided asingle or double interlock fabric, such as exemplified in my PatentsNos. 1,541,230, 1,728,293,"1,728,294, etc. There one yarn feed certainof the needles are in retracted position and the remainder of theneedles are in tucking position and at a succeeding yarn feed all of theneedles are arranged to knit, or a welt stitch fabric wherein at oneyarn feed certain of the needles are in fully advanced position and .theremaining needles in retracted position and wherein the latter needlesare advanced at one or more of successive yarn feeds. The exempliedarrangement is also adapted for the knitting of a wide variety of typesof design fabrics, as

well as for the knitting of .plain Jersey fabric.

Moreover, as willbe apparent, all these types of knittings maybeincluded in a single piece of goods by a suitable operation of theyadjustable .cams and without change ofthe pattern wheels .or otherselecting means, with the result that patterned fabrics having featuresimpossible Without such an arrangement may be readily and 'i effectivelysecured.

formed with portions 21 at their lower ends which are adapted forlateral movement in response .to

.- the selective longitudinal movement, the needles being formed attheir rear vedges with cam surfaces 28 extending under a portion 29 ofthe cylinder when the needles are in a retracted posi` tion and adaptedto cause the portion E1' of a vneedle to be cammed outwardly when ythisneedle is selected,I and moved longitudinally by lthe pattern wheel. Aswill be seen', this. outward,l-lat eral-, movement of the needleaccompanies.

the longitudinal movement thereof bythe pattern wheel. The lportions 21of the needles are Aalso formed with a cam-engaging or ffbutt surface2li tion 21 is in` an outwardposi'tion, but not when a portion/21 is inan inward position. `Accordingly the surfaces 20 of those needles whichare ad? vanced by the pattern wheel will be engaged by the cam l1,whereas the lower parts `of the vneedles which are received in the slotsof the pattern wheel and not advanced will ride entirely behind the camil.

. As will be apparent, it is not-essential that allI of the needles beformed with lower portions of the character exemplified, but some ofthem 'may be of any ordinary or suitable form. However, by

forming all of the needles as exemplified, a greater flexibility ofdesign is obtained than when .ordinary needles are utilized at certainpoints.

The modification of Fig. da, is generally similar to Figs. 1-4, exceptthat the knitting element is aneedle jack. The parts corresponding tothose of Figs. l-4 are given the same reference 9' is the jack, whileeach needle 9" has a butt it' certain interspersed ones of these beinglongvbutts i2 and the others being short-butts. i3.

Each jack has a butt it, the lower surface it' of which is operated uponby the pattern wheel i6 in the manner of Figs. 1 4. The lower ends ofthe jacks have portions 2l' for lateral movement by means of the camsurface 28' in the manner of the elements of Fig. i. The cam-engagingfaces 2t' correspond to 2@ of Fig. 1 and when projected in the path ofcam il impart a motion to the jack and needle in the manner of Figs. 14. Spring 3i of conventional form may be used to normally retain thejacks in the slots.

Instead of the laterally movable portion of the knitting element-meansbeing movable to only one lateral position in response to thelongitudinal movement of a portion of therneans, the laterally movableportion may be movable to any of a plurality of lateral positions sothat it will be actuated in different ways depending on which of theseplurality of positions it is moved to. An arrangement of this characteris shown in Figs. 5 thru l2, wherein the parts are generally similar tothe parts shown in Figs. 1 thru 4, and are designated by similarreference numerals carrying the subscript a. In this arrangement theneedles 9a arel all'formed with similar butt portions lila which may beactuated to move the needles longitudinally a plurality of differentextents as by means such as exemplified in my co-pending application,lSerial No. 18,091,` led April 25, 1935, or by other means which may beof any known or suitable type. In the form exemplified the pattern wheel.la comprises an upper plate 3l and a lower plate 32 providing teeth `33with slots therebetween for the reception of the needle ybutts and ofneedle-butt actuators. Two types of such actuators are provided. .Onetype, asindicated at 34, projects only slightcharacters with primesattached thereto. Thus,`

ly from the body of the pattern wheel so that its A' period ofengagement with a butt Ilia during the rotation of the pattern wheelwill be short. The other type shown at 35 projects further from the.body of thepattern wheel so that it will extend further under the buttand will be in con- `tact therewith for a longer period during therotation of the pattern wheel and will thus ad- ,arranged about theperiphery of the pattern *Y wheel in anydesired manner, one arrangementwill be apparent from the operation indicated in vso Fig. 12. The lowerportions 21a are formed in vthe -present instance with a cam surface 28avare adapted when in anoutward position to be engaged by a cam 39 whichserves to advance the needles. As will be apparent, when a needle isadvanced a short distance from the position E to the -position F, as byan actuator 34, the surface Zilaa Will be in position to be engaged bythe cam 39, but the surface 24a will still be at the rear of the cam.Accordingly the cam will advance the needle from the position F to atucking position H. When, howeventhe needle is advanced a longerdistance from the position'E to the position G, as by the actuator 35,then the cam will engage the surface 20a and will move the needle tofully advanced knitting position I. By the provision of the attened;portion 33 of the rear surface 29a, assurance is had that the f needlewill be accurately positioned for the engagement of the surface 20a@ bythe cam. It will be appreciated, however, that in certain instances thesurface 29a may slope continuously. It will likewise be appreciated thatin accordance with the invention in its broader aspects, the needle bedmay be formed -with a sloping surface at that portion which is contactedby a laterally movable portion of the needles, such as 2li and 21a, itbeing possible that needle surfaces 29, 3b, and 31 for instance, mayhave a single point contact with a sloping surface on that portion ofthe needle bed against which they work.

In Fig.`12, needles a, b, c, e, h, and k are shown in retractedposition; needle d isV shown as en- .gaged by an actuator 34; needle 1fis shown as engaged by an actuator 35; needle g is shown as moved to theposition G by an actuator 35. Needles i and 9' are shown as moved to thepositiqn Fby an actuator 34, the cam 39 having contacted` the surface20mi of the needle i; needle l is shown with its surface 20a engaged bythe cam 39; needle m is shown in tucking position of selective means maybe utilized for selectively imparting longitudinal movement to theneedles.r

One simple form of such means is exemplified in Fig. 13 wherein theconstruction is generally similar to that of Fig. and wherein similarparts are identified by similar reference numerals except that thesubscript b is used. In this case the butts Illb on the needles areselectively actuated by a cam 40 which is'movableA by means of a handle4| from a position indicated in dotted lineswherein it will not contactthe butts to a position shown in full lines in which it will contact thebutts and move the needles suiiciently to laterally project theircam-engaging surfaces ZIJbb intor position to be engagedby a cam 39h, orto a position such as shown in dot-and-dash lines wherein it willadvance the needles suiliciently to move a surfacey 20h into position tobe engaged by the cam 39h.

`movement of .the element 41.

It will furthermore be appreciatedthat in instances where the provisionof a cam which extends between needle-butt positions is not undesirable,there may be provided an arrangement wherein the lateral movement of theknitting element is only of a single extent and wherein addi-I tionalselective action is obtained by differences in longitudinal movement. InFigs. 14 and 15 there is shown an'arrangement similar to that of Figs.5-12, but of this nature. In these iigures similar reference numeralsare utilized, but with the subscript c. A pattern wheel I6c similar tothe pattern wheel l6a is utilized to advance the needles to either oftwo different positions.` The lower end 21c of the selected needles willbe moved laterally by engagement of the needle bed by a singleshortsloping'surface 29o on the needles. When a needle is movedlongitudinally only a short distance, a cam-engaging surface Zlicc willbe engaged by a cam 39e, and the needle advanced to tucking positionthereby, but a cam-engaging surface 20c will ride beneath this cam. OntheA other hand, when a needle is advanced a longer distance by thepattern wheel, the surface 20c will beengaged and the needle advanced toknitting position thereby.

InA accordance with the invention in its broad- `er aspects moreover,the portion of the knittingelement-means which is moved longitudinallyneed not be integral with the portion of the knitbut theknitting-element-means may consist of portions in the form of separatecooperating elements. Constructions of this nature are shown in Fig. 1,6and Figs. 20-24. InFig. 16 there is shown a needle 43 having a butt 43adapted to be engaged by a stitch cam 45d for the retraction of theneedles. The lower partsv 21d of these needles are formed withcam-engaging surfaces 20d adapted to be moved between a multiplicity oflateral positions in one of which,l as shown by the nearest needle, itwill not be engaged vby a cam in another of which it will be engaged byting-element-means which is moved laterally, y

an actuating cam 44, and in still another of which it will be engaged byan actuating cam 45. It

-will be appreciated in this connection that a knitting element may beformed with a plurality of cam-engaging surfaces adapted to be knittedAby a single cam surface, as in Fig. .5, or with a single cam-engagingsurface adapted to be engaged by a plurality of cam surfaces as in Fig.16.

wardly from the bed, and in order to eiect the lateral movement of theportionsA 21d of the 'needles there are provided elements 41 eachconstituting a portion of a knitting-element-means consisting of theneedle 42 and the element 41. Each element 41 is formed with adownwardly and outwardly inclined upper surface 48 adapted to bearagainst the surface 46 on its needle and to thrust the lower portion ofthe needleoutwardly when the element 41 is moved upwardly. The extent ofthe lateral movement of the portion 21d will depend on the extent of theupward The elements 41 are provided with vbutts vIlld adapted to beselectively acted upon by a pattern wheel iSd similar to the patternwheel I 6a; the shorter actuators on the pattern wheel being arranged toadvance the elements 41 sufdciently to move the laterally i movableportions 21d to a position to-be engaged by the'cam 44, and the longeractuator elements on the pattern wheel being arranged to advance theelements 41 sufficiently to move the portions ,21d into a position to beengaged by the cam 45.

In certain instances dependence on'. cooperating surfaces on a .knittingelement and on a *portion of its bed is undesirable, and in suchinstances the invention contemplates .the provision ofmeans whereby thelaterally movable portion of the knitting element is resilientlymounted.` One formA of such construction is exemplified in l Fig.. 17wherein there is illustrated an arrangement generally similar to thearrangement of Fig. 1 and wherein the parts are indicated by similarreference numerals with the subscript e.

' The needles 9e in this Acase carry butts Ille which are similarthruout the seriesv of needles and areselectively acted upon by apattern wheel le similar to the pattern wheel l5. The lower ends 21e ofthe needles are mounted for lateral movement by the provision o'f aresilient portion between them and the butts. The resiliency re-Vengaging surfaces 20e and longitudinally-extending cam-engagingsurfaces50, and there is provided a cam 5 i, shown in detail in Fig. 18,for

the needles in accordance with the longitudinal position'they are inafter the passage of the pattern wheel 16e. When a butt 49 is in a lowerposition as in the case of the foremost needle in Fig. 17, the surface50 of the butt will be engaged by the forward surface 52 of the cam andwill ride to the rear of the cam on convexly curved surfaces 53, asindicated at q, and ride along the back thereof and into afrecess 54, asindicated at t. Should needles 9e be raised slightly by someinadvertence the surface 50 may ride along the back face of the cam 5I.When, however, a needle has been moved to an upper position, and thetail of the `needle has swung outwardly,-due toits resiliency, in themanner indicated, as in the case of the rear needle shown in Fig. 17 andthe needle shown at r, the butts 49 thereof will ride above the forwardportion 52 of the cam 5| and will be engaged by a camsurface 55 whichwill serve, as indicated at s; to `advance the nee'dle. Asr will beseen, whether the longiselectively actuating tudinal movement is of suchextent that when it'v is completed a needle such as at r will be spacedabove the cam, or whether the longitudinal movement is just ofsufiicientextent to permit the butt to swing outwardly, the outward(lateral) movement of the needle will accompany Athe longitudinalmovement rather than being an independent movement at a spaced point.Thel portions 21e of those needles which are not moved longitudinally-bythe pattern wheelv will ride to the rear of the cam and will then beswung out in to the recess 54 againv by the tension of the portion 48,but Will not be advanced by the actuating surface 55, whereas portionswhich have been moved longitudinally bythe pattern wheelv will havetheir butts actuated and will be advanced-as to tucking position, or, ifdesired, to knitting positionby the actuating surface 55.

In Fig. 19 there is shown a construction which is similar to theconstruction shown in Fig. 17,

except. that theforward portion 52j of the acl 'aia-1,304

tuating cam 5lf is. narrpwed and is extended forwardly beneath thepattern wheel, and that the butts 49j on the tails of the needles areprovided withl oblique upper surfaces 56 so that they may be snappedpast the portion 52f during the operation of a pattern wheel. needlesarein their retracted position, the butts 49f are below the portion'52f andride under it.

' When, however, a needle .is raised by the pattern wheel, the surface56 thereof will bear against the bottom of the portion 52j and cam thetail rearwardly,v to swing it on its point of resiliency suiiiciently sothat the butt 49! willmove upwardly behind the portion 52j in the cam5U* and will clear this portion. Thereupon due to the re- When the. f

slliency, the tail will swing back to a position where the butt againprojects outwardly so that it will be engaged by the actuating camsurface 55j of the cam 5U. Desirablythe forward edge of the portion 52jhas an upwardly protruding forward portion provided with a slopingforward surface 5l to assure against the butts 49j jamming against theforward edge of the cam. This forward edge is preferably disposed at a.point well in advance-where the pattern wheel acts on the needles.

In the operation of machines wherein dial and ated selectively toproduce design conformations,

as for instance, in accordance with my co-pending application, SerialNo. 752,028, filed November 8, 1934. However, it is desirable to avoidcomplexity in the operating mechanism for the dial needles and it hasbeen found that by utilizing the sinker movement to `control theoperation of the dial needles, a high degree of simplicity can bevobtained. In accordance with the linvention there is provided means toimpart longitudinal movement to the sinkers whereby the dial needles(or, if desired, jacks therefor) will be moved laterally and toselectively position the dial needles (or jacks). In the exemplifiedconstruction this means includes sinker-moving cams and mutuallycooperating cam portions on the sinkers and on the dial needles to movethe latter laterally in response to the sinker movement, andincludesalso a rotary pattern member for the selective positioning of the dial:needles. vIn the form of construction exemplified in Figs. 20 thru 24,there is provided 4cooperating means on the sinkers and on the dialneedles for positioning the dial needles for actuation by a' cam;

and there is also provided a pattern wheel for selectively controllingvthe position of the dial needles so that the cam will actuatetheneedles to one or another of different extents, or not at all, asdetermined by the pattern wheel. In this form of construction there isprovided a needle bed 5g, which in the present instance, is in the formof a stationary dial having formed therein vradial slots 8g. carryingsinkers 60 and dial -needles 9g. `There are also provided cylindermember 61, in association with one or more of the yarn feeds. Thesinkers and needles are provided with cooperating cam surfaces 66 and land with cam-engaging surfaces g and 20go'.

The portion of the needle on which the surface 209g is formed isprovided with a flat surface 'I0 adapted to be engaged by actuators onthe rotary pattern member 61. This rotary pattern member is providedwith peripheral slots 1I. In certain of these slots there are disposedshort actuators 12 and in others long actuators i3, others of the slotsbeing left empty. The rotary pattern member 6l is so arranged, that whena needle has been elevated by the sinker movement, the

- needle will be left in elevated position as shown in Fig. 21 if anempty slot in. the rotary pattern wheel is juxtaposed therewith; will bepartially lowered if a short actuator 12 is juxtaposed therewith; orwill be lowered .to the position shown in Fig. 20 when a long actuatoris juxtaposed therewith. 'Ihe needles are formed with the bends i4 inthe usual manner `to prevent them from dropping against the sinkers oftheir own weight after the support of the sinker has been removed beforethe operation -of the pattern wheel. ln operation, a needle and sinkerbeing in the position shown in Fig. 20, the sinkers v -needles and willpass a needle, partially depress it, or fully depress .it in the mannerindicated above. If it is passed, the surface 20g thereof will beengaged by the cam 39g and the needle will be fully advanced asindicated in Fig. 23. If, however, the needle is partially depressed,the surface -20gg thereon will be engaged by the cam 39g and the needlewill be advanced a less distance. If the needle has been fullydepressed, the cam 39g will engage neither of the camengaging surfacesIthereon and the needle will be left in a retracted position. Theadvanced needles `will be retracted by the stitch cam 66 in the usualmanner. n

It will accordingly be seen that there is provided an exceedingly safeand effective means for the production of design fabrics of a widevariety of types.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and diierentembodiments of the invention could be made without departing .from the.scope thereof, it is intended that allv vmattei' contained in the aboveconstruction or shown in the accompanying drawings Vshall be interpretedas illustrative and not ,in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specic features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as amatter of language might tucking position and to leave the unseiectedneedles in retracted position, to move the selected needles to knittingposition and to leave the unselected needles in retracted position, andto move the selected needles to knitting position and to move certain ofthe unselected needles to tucking position while leaving the remainderof the unselected needles in retracted position, as desired, prior tothe reception of yarn from a single yarn-feed.

2. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a .series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-elementmeans being adapted to be moved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted tobe moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement,means to impart such longitudinal movement to at least certain of saidfirst mentioned portions and to selectively position the secondmentioned portions, the last mentioned means including means tocause thesecond mentioned portions to be moved laterally when the first mentionedportions are moved longitudinally and 'as an accompaniment of suchlongitudinal movement and means to cause a supplemental and selectivelateral positioning of the second mentioned portions, and actuatingmeans adapted to selectively engage said second mentioned portionsdepending on their positioning.

' 3. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-element-means being adapted to be moved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted tobe moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement,v

dinally by a selecting'means and at least a portiony of each of saidknitting-element-means being adapted to be positioned laterally inresponse to the longitudinal movement of the rst mentioned portion,selecting means adapted to selectively engage the vfirst mentionedportions to impart longitudinal movement of a plurality ofselectively-determined extents to the selected portions, and actuatingmeans adapted to engage the second mentioned portions when incertain ofsaid lateral positions and to selectively impartthereto longitudinalmovement of a plurality'of extents depending upon the extent oflongitudinal movement imparted to the i'irst mentioned portions by theselecting means.'`

5. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portionof each of saidknitting-element-means being adapted to be selectively movedlongitudinally by a selecting means and at least a portion of each ofsaid knitting-element-means being adapted to be positioned laterally inresponse to the longitudinal movement of the first mentioned portion,selecting means adapted to selectively engage the first mentionedportions to impart longitudinal movement of a plurality of selective Iextents to selected portions, said second mentloned portions beingmovable laterally .to a. plu- V -tudinal movement .knitting elementswhen said portions thereofl be moved into a path of rallty of extentsdepending on the extent of movement of the ilrst mentioned portions, andactuating means, said second mentioned portions and said .actuatingmeans being so arranged that the actuating means will engage the secondmentioned portions and move them longitudinally to one extent when theyhave been moved laterallyl to one extent and to move ,themlongitudinally to another extent when they have been moved laterally toanother extent. l i

6. A 4knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of needles on saidbed, at least a portion of each of said needles being adapted to bemoved longitudinally by a selecting means and at' least f a portion ofeach of said needles being adapted to be disposed in any of'a pluralityof lateral positions, means for thrusting a second mentioned portionlaterally when a first mentioned portion is moved longitudinally,selecting means to selectively engage the iirst mentioned portions toselectively impart longitudinal movement thereto, and actuating meansadapted to engage said second 'mentioned portions when in certain' oisaid lateral positions.

7. In a knitting machine, a needle bed, a series of needle slots in saidbed, knitting elements in at least certain of said-slots, means on saidknitting elements to cause a portion of each of said knittingelements tobe moved laterally as an accompaniment of the longitudinal movementthereof, means to selectively impart longitudinal movement to saidknitting elements with accompanying lateral movement, cam means, saidcam means and said bed being mounted for relative movement in adirection transverse oi' said slots, and means on said portions adaptedto be engaged by said cam means to impart longitudinal movement to theknitting elements when said portions have been moved laterally.

8. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series oi knitting elements on saidbed, means on said knitting elements to cause a portion of each of saidknitting elements to be of different positions d v movement thereof,means to selectively impart such longitudinal movement to said knittingelements, cam means, and a plurality of shoulders on ng the longitudinalindividual ones of lsaid portions and adapted to cam means to impartlongibe engaged by said of different extents to the have been moved tosaid positions respectively. 9. A knitting machine comprising a needlebed,

a series of needle slots in .said bed, knitting ele- 'ments in at leastcertain of said slots, lactuator mechanism, said actuator mechanism andsaid bed being mounted for relative movement in a direction transverseof said slots, means forming a part of said actuator mechanism forselectively advancing the knitting elements as an accompaniment of saidrelative movement, means to cause lateral movement of a, portion of eachknitting element when so advanced, each of said portions being formedwith a shoulder adapted to movement of a part of Asaid actuatormechanism by such llateral movement, and means forming apart of saidactuator mechanism and adapted to engage at least certain of saidshoulders. when the portions carrying the same have been moved laterallyand to further advance the'knitting elements.v

10. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a

series of knitting elements on said bed, actuator mechanism, saidactuator` are-1,304

moved to a plurality mechanism and said bed being mounted for relativemovement, means forming a part of said actuator mechanism forselectively advancing the knitting elements a plurality of extentsduring said relative movement, means to cause lateral movement to oneextent of a portion of each knitting element when advanced to one extentand -to cause lateral movement of said portion to another extent whenadvanced to another extent, each of said portions being formed with aplurality of shoulders adapted to be moved respectively into the path ofmovement, and cam means forming a part of said actuator mechanism andadapted to engagewhatever shoulders are in its pathv of movement and toactuate said knitting elements to one extent when one of said shouldersis in its path and to actuate said knitting elements to another extentwhen another of saidgshoulders is in its its path and to pass saidknitting elements when neither of said'shoulders are in its path.

ll. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting elementson said bed, each of said knitting elements having a resilient tail andeach tail being formed with a cam-engaging surface, selecting means forselectively imparting longitudinal movement to the knitting elements, atleast one yarn feed, a cam member formed with a cam surface adapted toengage the camengaging surfaces of the knitting elements which areselectively movable longitudinally, said cam member being formed with aportion in the path of movement of said tails in preparation for yarnmanipulating action at a single yarn feed Whereby said -tails may yieldresiliently when they meet said portion but will be lsvvung out by theirresiliency into cam-engaging/position when they have been moved to agiven longitudinal extent by said selecting means.

12.J A knitting machine comprising a dial bed, a y l series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, each. of at least a plurality ofsaid knitting-element-means including a sinker and a needle, andcooperating means on the sinkers and on a portion or the'knitting-element-means other than the sinker for eiectuating a controlof the operation of said needles in response to an operation of saidsinkers. s

13; .A sinker-top knitting machine, comprising a series of. cylinderneedles, a series of dial needles, a series of cooperating sinkers,means to actuate said sinkers, said sinkers being individual to saiddial needles, cooperating means on the sinkers and the dialneedles tocause a portion of a dial needle to be moved laterally in response tothe movement of a sinker, means including the aforesaid means to causesaid portions of the dialy needles to be disposed in a multiplicity oflateral posi/tions, vmeans to selectively actuate said dial needles to aplurality of `diierent extents in accordance with the lateralpositioning of said portions thereof, and means to actuate said cylinderneedles.

14. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, each of said knitting-element-meanscomprising a pair of relatively movable elementsdcooperating means oneach pair of elements to cause a portion of one of the elementsV to bemoved laterally in response to longitudinal movement of the other of theelements, means for causing'longitudinal movement of s'aid other of theelements, selecting means `for causing. supplemental and selectivelaterall movement of only certain of said laterally moved portions, andmeans to selectively actuate said ones of said elements in ac-/zk/lcordance with the lateral positioning of said portions thereof.

.15. A knitting element comprising a yarn-manipulating portion adaptedto receive yarn adjajacent the front edge of the element, and a portionspaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and having a cam-engagingshoulder and having also a cam surface on the rear edge of theelementand adapted for engagement with a cooperating part of aknitting'machine to cause the second mentioned portion to be movedlaterally during relative movement of the knitting element and thecooperating part longitudinally of the knitting element.

16. A needle comprising.. a yarn-manipulating portion adapted to receiveyarn adjacent the front edge of the needle, and a portion spaced fromsaid yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide a generally lateralsurface adapted to be engaged by cam means when suitably disposed and toprovide a cam surface on the rear edge of the needle and adapted forengagement with a cooperating part of a knitting machine to `cause thesecond mentioned portion to be moved laterally when the knitting elementis moved longitudinally.

17. A knitting element comprising a yarn-manipulating portion adapted toreceive yarn adjacent the front edge of the element, and a portionspaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide aplurality of longitudinally spaced generally lateral surfaces eachadapted to be engaged by cam means when suitably disposed and to provideat least one cam surface on the rear edge of the element and adapted forengagement withy a cooperating part of a knitting machine to cause thesecond mentioned portion to be moved laterally when the knitting elementis moved longitudinally.

18. A knitting element comprising a yarn-manipulating portion adapted toreceive yarn adjacent the front edge of the element, and a portionspaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide atleast one generally lateral surface adapted to be engaged by cam meanswhen suitably disposed, and to provide at least one cam surface on therear edge of the element and adapted for engagement with a cooperatingpart of a knitting machine to cause the second mentioned portion to bemoved laterally dif-v ferent extents When the knitting element is moveddifferent extents longitudinally.

19. A knitting element comprising a yarnmanipulating portion adapted toreceive yarn adjacent the front edge of the element, and a portionspaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide aplurality of longiiudinally spaced generally'lateral surfaces eachadapted to be engaged by cam `means when suitably disposed and toprovide a cam surface n the rear edge of the element and adapted forengagementwith a cooperating part of a knitting machine to cause thesecond mentioned portion to be moved laterally to one extent when theknitting element is moved longitudinally a given extent and a camsurface on the rear edge of the element and adapted to engage said partto cause said second mentioned portion to be moved laterally to afurther extent when the knitting element is moved longitudinally afurther extent.

20. A knitting machine needle formed with a resilient tail, a butt onsaid tail, oneof the oppositely-disposed edges of said butt beinginclined substantially from the end of the butt and in the direction inwhich said tail extends whereby when than a right angle with a lineextending longitudinally of said tail as the tail'extends beyond saidedge.

21. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-elementmeansbeing adapted to be moved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted tobe moved laterally as an accompaniment of such. longitudinal movement,each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surfaceadapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance saidsecond-mentioned portions longitudinally and each of saidknitting-element-means including. a yarn-manipulating element adapted tobe advanced when the second-mentioned portion thereof is advanced,selective means to impart longitudinal movement to selected ones of thefirst-mentioned portions of the knitting-elementmeans to cause thesecond-mentioned portions thereof to be moved laterally as anaccompaniment of said longitudinal movement, and cam means adapted toengage said butt surface on each of said second-mentioned portions whichhas been moved laterally to advance the same and to advance therewiththe yarn-manipulating elements thereof to a yarn-manipulating position.

22. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, a needle forming at least a part ofeach of said Vknitting-element-means, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-element-means being adapted to be moved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being adapted tobe moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement,each of said second portions being formed with a butt surface adapted tobe engaged by an advancing cam to advance saidv second-mentionedportions longitudinally so as to move said needles into yarn-receivingposition, an oblique pattern Wheel adapted to selectively impartlongitudinal movement to the first-mentioned portions of certain of saidknitting-element-mreans to cause the secondmentioned portions thereof tobe moved laterally, a yarn feed, and cam means adapted to engage saidbutt surfaces of each of the second-mentioned portions'which has beenmoved laterally and to advance the sameto dispose the needles to receiveyarn from said yarn feed.

f23. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of needles on saidbed, a yarn-feed, means to selectively impart longitudinal movement tosaid needles, means to cause a portion of those needles which are movedlongitudinally by the last-mentioned means to move laterally as an vaccompaniment of said longitudinal movement,

and means to engage those portions of the needles which have been movedVlaterally to advance such needles for reception of yarn from said yarnfeed.

24. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a. series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-elementmeans being adapted to bemoved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted tobe moved laterally as an accompaniment. of such longitudinal movement,each of said knitting-element-means comprising a yarn-manipulatingelement adapted 75 to be advanced when the second-mentioned portionthereof is advanced, said second-'mentioned portions comprisingresilientv tails, means including said resilient tails and the surfaceofV a cam member to cause a lateral movement of said second-mentionedportions as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement, and means toengage a part of each of said second-mentioned portions which has beenmoved laterally to vadvance the same and to advance the'associatedyarn-manipulating element to a yarn-manipulating position.A

25. A -knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofkni'tting-element-means on said bed, at leasta portion of each of saidknitting-elementmeans being adaptedto be moved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted tobe moved laterallyas an accompaniment'of such longitudinal movement,each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surfaceadapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance saidsecond-mentioned portions longitudinally and eachof saidknitting-element-rneans including a yam-manipulating element adapted tobe advanced when the second-mentionedl portion thereof is advanced,means to impart such longitudinal movement to at least certain of saidrst mentioned portions with an accompanying lateral movement of thesecond-mentioned portions and to selectively position thesecond-mentioned portions in a plurality ofl lateral positions, and cammeans adapted to engage said butt surface on each of saidsecond-mentioned portions which is in a given one of said lateralpositions to advance the same and to advance therewith to ayarnmanipulating position the yarnmanipulating element of theknitting-element-means ofwhich it is a portion. y

` 26. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a

series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at

least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted tobe moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of saidknittingelement-means being adapted to' be moved laterally as anaccompaniment of such longitudinal movement, each of saidsecond-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surface adapted to beengaged by an advancing cam to advance said second-mentioned portionslongitudinally and each of said knitting-element-means including ayarn-manipulating element adapted to be advanced when the'second-mentioned portion thereof is advanced, means to impart suchlongitudinal movement to at leastcertain of said first-men- 4tionedportions and to selectively position the secondmentioned portions,thelast mentioned means including la pattern wheel adapted to actselectively to impartv longitudinal movement to the first-mentionedportions and means whereby the second-mentioned portions of theknittingelement-means Whose iirst-mentioned` portions have been movedlongitudinally will be moved laterally as an accompaniment of saidlongitudinal movement, and cam means adapted to engage said butt surfaceon each of said second-menl tioned portions which has been movedlaterally to advance the same and to advance the associatedyarn-manipulating velement to a yarn-manipulating position.

27. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-elementmeans being adapted to be moved longitudinally and atleast a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being ,9. adaptedto .be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinalmovement, means to impart such longitudinal movement to at least certainof said iirst-mentioned portions and 'to selectively position the secondmentioned portions longitudinally, said secondmentioned portionscomprisingl resilient tails, means including said resilient tails tocause a lateral movement of said second-mentioned portions due to suchlongitudinal movement, andA actuating means adapted to selectivelyengage said second-mentioned portions depending on the positioning.`

28. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at

least a vportion of each of said knitting-element-` means being adaptedto be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of saidknitting-ele'- ment-means being adapted to'be moved laterally as anaccompaniment of such longitudinal move-.-

-ment, each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a buttsurface adapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance saidsecond-.mentioned portions longitudinally 'and each of saidknittlng-element-means including a chine to cam said second-mentionedportions laterally during such longitudinal movement, and cam meansadapted to engage said butt surface on said second-mentioned portions inaccordance with the lateral'position of said second-mentioned portions,said machine including a pattern Wheel y having a selecting action sothat certain of said second-mentioned portions will be in position to beengaged by said cam means so as to be advanced 4with the consequentLadvance to a yarnmanipulating position of the yarn-manipulating' elementassociated therewith and other of said second-mentioned portions will bein a position `to be passed by said cam means.

29. A .knitting machine comprising'a bed, a yarn-feed, a series ofknitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of saidknitting-element-means being .adapted to be selectively movedlongitudinally by a selecting means and at least a portion of each ofsaid knittingvvelement-means being adapted to be moved laterally inresponse to such longitudinal movement of the first-mentioned portion,selecting meansA adapted Vto selectively engage the rst-mentionedportions to impart'said longitudinal movement to the selected portions,means to impart lateralv movement to the second-mentioned portions ofonly those knitting-element-means of which the Y mst-mentioned portionsare selected, .means forming a part of each of said knitting-elementingme'aris adapted to engage said second-mentoned` portions to whichlateral movement has Y been imparted and to advance the same.

30..'A knitting machine comprising a bed, a

yarn-feed, a series of needles on said bed, means tol selectively impartlongitudinal movementto said needles, each ofrsaid needles having aportion adapted to be disposed indifferent lateral positions, cam'meansadapted to engage said portions when in certain of said lateralpositions,

and to dispose said needles in position to receive yarn from ayarn-feed, and meansfor selecting said needles and for causing saidportions of only the selected needles to be in given ones of saidcertain of said lateral positions. 31. A knitting machine comprising abed, a series of knitting elements on said bed, a portion of each ofsaid knitting elements being laterally member having a cam surface andhaving also a forwardly extending surface in advance of said cam surfaceand continuous therewith and disy posed ,in position to extend under thebutt surface of a portion of a knitting element which has beenso movedlongitudinally and is in said given lateral position, and resilientmeans tending to swing said portions into said lateral positions whenthey are moved longitudinally to a position wherein said butt surfacesmay be juxtaposed with 10 said forwardly extending surface of said cammember.

VINCENT LOMBARDI.

